EIGHT people were taken to hospital after a police car was involved in a three car smash.

The police car, which was using lights and sirens, was on its way to an emergency when it collided with a black Fiat Punto and a black BMW just before 4pm on Sunday.

The Fiat ended up in a ditch.

The driver, a woman in her 70s, was trapped and had to be freed by fire crews.

A woman, a man and three boys, aged five, seven and 11 from Basildon, who were in the BMW were taken to Southend Hospital.

Two police officers, both men, one in his 40s and another in his 20s based at Boreham, were also taken to hospital with reported serious injuries.

All victims have since been discharged suffering injuries including whiplash and
bruising.

Motorists were told to avoid the A127 completely towards Southend following the smash.

The incident happened Southend-bound near the junction with the Daws Heath Road just before where the road closure was in place due to Saturday's flooding at Rayleigh Weir.

The section of the road was closed following the accident.

The collision is being investigated by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) and the force’s Professional Standards Department have been made aware.

Anyone with information contact the SCIU on 101 or by email at collisionappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk